Lior Raz, co-creator and star of the Israeli Netflix series “Fauda,” found himself thrust from fiction into reality on Oct. 7, 2023, as his sister called him from a bomb shelter near the Gaza border, pleading for help amid a sudden and deadly attack. The massacre that day—the deadliest in Israel’s history—propelled Raz and his writing partner, Avi Issacharoff, both veterans of an Israeli military unit similar to the one portrayed on their show, into action. They joined volunteers in southern Israel to assist with evacuations and rescue operations in the face of ongoing rocket fire from Gaza and an apparent initial breakdown in Israeli governmental response.
The traumatic events of Oct. 7 reshaped the direction of “Fauda,” which had left its fictional characters wounded but ambiguous at the end of its fourth season, released nine months prior. Raz and Issacharoff decided the series had to address what they described as “the pain, the sadness, the catastrophe” unleashed that day, turning their attention toward capturing the psychological and emotional aftermath of the attack in a new fifth season, which premiered recently on Netflix.
Unlike earlier seasons, which offered viewers a dramatized glimpse into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with a degree of detachment, the latest installment directly confronts the grim reality familiar to many Israelis. The storyline shifts away from Gaza itself, focusing instead on a broader regional scope—including Europe and other Middle Eastern locations—reflecting ongoing conflict uncertainties and personal losses affecting the cast and crew; notably, one crew member was killed in Gaza, and a co-star was seriously injured during production.
Central themes of the new season revolve around revenge and the personal scars left by the Oct. 7 attack. Episodes include flashbacks depicting the initial shock of the assault, the collapse of Israeli security structures, and the efforts of ordinary Israelis, especially older military veterans, rushing to aid one another amid chaotic circumstances. The creators strove for an unvarnished representation without showing the full extent of the brutality, balancing authenticity with sensitivity.
The new season has generated both acclaim and controversy domestically and internationally. It has become the most-watched season in the series’ history on the Israeli cable network Yes. Israeli critics noted how the show reflects the profound anger, disillusionment, and longing for revenge felt by many following what was perceived as a massive security failure. However, some reviewers outside Israel expressed discomfort with the series' shift away from its previous attempts to portray empathetic perspectives on both sides of the conflict, viewing its focus on Israeli suffering and vengeance as potentially alienating for global audiences.
Raz and Issacharoff openly acknowledge the challenge of presenting the Israeli viewpoint amidst widespread international criticism of Israel’s military response, which involved extensive operations in Gaza resulting in high Palestinian casualties. The writers expressed frustration with what they see as a lack of balanced understanding abroad, particularly regarding the motives and actions of Hamas.
Despite concerns over potential backlash and boycotts targeting Israeli cultural products amid the ongoing Gaza war, Raz emphasizes his primary goal as an artist: to have viewers engage with the human emotions conveyed through his character and, by extension, the experiences of Israelis confronting trauma and loss. He hopes the series will foster empathy and insight into the events of Oct. 7, irrespective of political stance, by inviting audiences to imagine enduring similar horrors in their own countries.